Patent application title: UNIVERSAL SYRINGE

Abstract:

Syringes for use with medical fluid injectors. In certain aspects, the
syringe includes a body having a longitudinal axis, a forward end, and a
rearward end. At least one syringe mating section is coupled to the body
of the syringe and is adapted to operatively engage an injector. In some
embodiments, the syringe mating section includes first, second, and third
flanges extending outwardly from the body along a plane substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the syringe
mating section includes a first flange having a cross-section of a
parallelogram and a second flange having a tapered surface. In some
embodiments, the syringe mating section includes a flange having an
L-shaped cross-section. Other embodiments of the syringe mating section
may include yet other appropriate designs.

Claims:

1. (canceled)

2. A syringe comprising:a body having a longitudinal axis and including a
forward end and a rearward end, the forward end having a fluid discharge
section defined therein; anda first syringe mating section coupled to the
body, the first syringe mating section comprising first and second
flanges extending outwardly from the body away from the longitudinal axis
along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,
wherein the first flange has a cross-section in the form of a
parallelogram, and wherein the second flange includes a tapered surface
relative to the longitudinal axis.

3. (canceled)

4. The syringe of 2, wherein at least one flange is located toward the
rearward end of the body.

5. The syringe of claim 2, wherein at least one flange extends only
partially circumferentially around the body.

6. The syringe of claim 2, wherein at least one flange does not exhibit
any discontinuity along its length.

7. The syringe of claim 2, wherein at least one flange exhibits at least
one discontinuity along its length.

8. The syringe of claim 2, wherein at least one flange does not have a
cavity disposed therein.

9. The syringe of claim 2, further comprising:a second syringe mating
section coupled to the body and positioned substantially opposite the
first syringe mating section.

10. The syringe of claim 2, wherein the first syringe mating section has
an area of at least about 0.2 square inch.

11. The syringe of claim 2, further comprising:a plunger movably disposed
in the body.

16. The injection system of claim 15, wherein the first syringe mating
section is engaged with a housing of the injector.

17. The injection system of claim 15, wherein the first syringe mating
section is engaged with a face plate of the injector.

18. The injection system of claim 15, wherein the injector includes an
injector mating section designed to interface with the first syringe
mating section of the syringe.

19. The injection system of claim 18, wherein the injector mating section
defines a contour that confronts the first syringe mating section.

20. The injection system of claim 19, wherein the contour defines at least
one groove.

21-29. (canceled)

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates generally to syringes and injectors
for injecting medical fluids, and more particularly, to the mating
sections of such syringes that are adapted to be engaged with
complementary mating sections of such injectors.

BACKGROUND

[0002]This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects
of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention,
which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to
be helpful in providing the reader with background information to
facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present
invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are
to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0003]During many medical procedures, various fluids are injected into
patients for purposes of diagnosis or treatment. An example of one such
fluid is contrast media used to enhance angiography, MRI, or CT imaging.
Injectors used in these procedures tend to be automated devices that
expel fluid from a syringe, through a tube, and into the patient. Often,
the syringes will already be prefilled with fluid (e.g., with contrast
media, in any of a number of appropriate volumes) when purchased by the
user.

[0004]The syringes used in above-described imaging procedures generally
include a barrel having a hollow interior and a discharge tip, and a
syringe plunger disposed within the barrel. In many such injectors, the
syringes are replaceable. For instance, to replace a syringe, a portion
of the injector that facilitates coupling between the syringe plunger and
a plunger drive ram of the injector may be moved, the used syringe may
then be removed, and a fresh syringe may subsequently be mounted to the
injector.

[0005]To facilitate installation on an injector, each syringe includes
syringe mating sections that are adapted to mate with injector mating
sections located on the injector. The syringe mating sections tend to be
disposed at least partially circumferentially around the rearward end of
the syringe. These syringe mating sections generally have a shape or
contour that can engage and/or be engaged by the injector mating sections
in a locking engagement therewith. In some injectors, the injector mating
sections are located in a syringe-receiving portion of the injector and
tend to be disposed partially circumferentially around the
syringe-receiving portion of the injector. In many instances, the syringe
may be inserted into the syringe-receiving portion of the injector in a
manner such that the syringe mating sections and injector mating sections
have little or no contact with one another. Once the syringe has been
inserted such that the syringe mating sections are positioned in desired
locations relative to the injector mating sections, the syringe may be
rotated relative to the injector to bring the syringe mating sections and
injector mating sections into locking engagement with one another.

[0006]A drawback of conventional injectors is that different injectors
(e.g., those made by different companies) are equipped with
differently-shaped injector mating sections, such that particular syringe
mating sections of a given syringe may not be compatible with a number of
injectors. Thus, the users of those injectors may be relegated to using
only syringes that are compatible with the particular injector(s) they
use. This is undesirable because different companies produce different
syringes (prefilled versus unfilled, contrast media versus other fluids,
different fill volumes, etc.), and thus, a consumer may be barred from
using the particular syringe and/or medical fluid he/she desires simply
because a given syringe many not be compatible with the injector.

[0007]A drawback to current syringes used with medical fluid injectors is
a function of forces generated during injection procedures. For example,
the force exerted by pressures on a 200 ml syringe during a CT injection
can exceed 800 lbs on certain injector mating sections. This force
traditionally has been resolved primarily by shear resistance of the
injector mating sections on the injector. One manner of increasing the
shear strength is to form the syringe from a material that has a high
shear resistance. Unfortunately, many materials that are better suited
for prefilled syringe fluid contact requirements may not be optimal for
shear resistance.

SUMMARY

[0008]Certain aspects of the invention are set forth below to provide the
reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention might take.
These aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of features and aspects
that may not be set forth below.

[0009]In one aspect, a mechanism is provided for supporting a syringe on
an injector (e.g., on a face plate thereof or on a front wall of the
injector housing). The mechanism includes an injector mating section of
the injector that is releasably engageable with a syringe mating section
of the syringe. In some embodiments, the mechanism may be characterized
as an interlocking mechanism that may be activated and/or released upon
rotation of a rearward portion of the syringe relative to the injector.
For instance, the injector mating section may include a plurality of
slots for receiving a plurality of syringe flanges (e.g., the syringe
mating section) located toward the rearward end of the syringe. As such,
the syringe flanges can be inserted into the slots, and the syringe can
be subsequently rotated to engage the syringe flanges behind injector
flanges of the injector mating section.

[0010]In some embodiments, the syringe mating section includes first and
second flanges extending outwardly from the body of the syringe, away
from a longitudinal axis of the body, and along a plane substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The syringe mating section of
some embodiments may include yet a third flange that extends outwardly
from the body, away from the longitudinal axis, and along a plane
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0011]Any of a number of designs may be appropriate for the syringe mating
section of the syringe. For instance, in some embodiments, the syringe
mating section may include a flange having a cross-section in the form of
a parallelogram. As another example, the syringe mating section of some
embodiments may additionally or alternatively include a flange that has a
tapered surface relative to the longitudinal axis of the syringe body. In
some embodiments, the syringe mating section may include a flange that
exhibits an L-shaped cross-section that may or may not exhibit any
discontinuities along its length.

[0012]Syringes incorporating syringe mating sections of the invention may
be found compatible with multiple injectors, thus increasing options for
consumers of such syringes. While at least some of the syringe mating
sections of the invention are designed to be compatible with more than
one injector, their shapes may be found to increase an overall area of
such syringe mating sections relative to conventional syringe mating
sections. Thus, syringes of the present invention may be able to
withstand greater shear forces during an injection procedure than
previous syringes. As such, syringes of the present invention may reduce
syringe failure rates.

[0013]Various refinements exist of the features noted above in relation to
the various aspects of the present invention. Further features may also
be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and
additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For
instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of
the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the
above-described aspects of the present invention alone or in any
combination. Again, the brief summary presented above is intended only to
familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of the present
invention without limitation to the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an injector head of an injector,
including a syringe attached thereto and a face plate;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the injector head, face plate,
and syringe of FIG. 1 taken along lines 2-2;

[0016]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a syringe, depicting one embodiment
of a syringe mating section;

[0017]FIGS. 3B and 3C are cross-sectional views of the syringe of FIG. 3A
in engagement with a face plate of a first injector;

[0018]FIGS. 3D and 3E are cross-sectional views of the syringe of FIG. 3A
in engagement with a face plate of a second injector;

[0019]FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a syringe, depicting another
embodiment of a syringe mating section;

[0020]FIGS. 4B and 4C are cross-sectional views of the syringe of FIG. 4A
in engagement with a face plate of a first injector;

[0021]FIGS. 4D and 4E are cross-sectional views of the syringe of FIG. 4A
in engagement with a face plate of a second injector;

[0022]FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a syringe, depicting yet another
embodiment of a syringe mating section;

[0023]FIGS. 5B and 5C are cross-sectional views of the syringe of FIG. 5A
in engagement with a face plate of a first injector;

[0024]FIGS. 5D and 5E are cross-sectional views of the syringe of FIG. 5A
in engagement with a face plate of a second injector;

[0025]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a syringe, depicting still another
embodiment of a syringe mating section;

[0026]FIGS. 6B and 6C are cross-sectional views of the syringe of FIG. 6A
in engagement with a face plate of a first injector;

[0027]FIGS. 6D and 6E are cross-sectional views of the syringe of FIG. 6A
in engagement with a face plate of a second injector;

[0028]FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a syringe, depicting still yet
another embodiment of a syringe mating section;

[0029]FIGS. 7B and 7C are cross-sectional views of the syringe of FIG. 7A
in engagement with a face plate of a first injector; and

[0030]FIGS. 7D and 7E are cross-sectional views of the syringe of FIG. 7A
in engagement with a face plate of a second injector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0031]One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be
described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these
embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be
described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the
development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or
design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made
to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with
system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one
implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a
development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would
nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and
manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this
disclosure.

[0032]Referring to FIGS. 1-2, an injector 10 is depicted, having an
injector head 12 attached to an arm 14, which in turn may be mounted to a
ceiling, wall, or floor joint (not shown). This allows for motion of the
injector head 12, for example, so that it may be positioned to receive
and load a syringe 16 and to inject fluids into a subject (not shown).
Surrounding the inner mechanism of the injector 10 is an injector housing
18. This housing 18 includes a display panel 20. The display panel 20
aids the operator of the injector 10 in monitoring amounts of fluid
injected into a subject.

[0033]Toward the forward end of the injector housing 18, positioned at
least generally between the injector 10 and the syringe 16, is a face
plate 22. The face plate 22 may be slidable along a plane perpendicular
to a longitudinal axis 24 of the motion of a plunger drive ram 26 of the
injector 10. The purpose of this face plate 22 is to facilitate
connection between the injector housing 18 and the syringe 16, and in
certain embodiments, to facilitate disengagement of a coupling element 28
of a syringe plunger 30 from a coupling mechanism 32 of the plunger drive
ram 26. For example, a syringe 16 may be loaded into and coupled to the
injector 10, such as at the face plate 22, by engaging respective mating
sections 48 on the outer surface of the syringe 16 and on the face plate
22. In certain embodiments, the disengagement may be affected by moving
the face plate 22 transverse to the longitudinal axis 24 of the plunger
drive ram 26. In addition or as an alternative to transverse motion, face
plate 22 may be capable of pivotal motion to enable rear loading a new
syringe into a pressure jacket 34 of the injector and/or to enable
unloading and removal of a syringe from the pressure jacket 34 after the
face plate 22 has been moved to disengage the rearwardly extending
coupling element 28 of the syringe plunger 30 and the coupling mechanism
32 of the plunger drive ram 26.

[0034]A pressure jacket 34, which may be transparent, may extend outwardly
from the face plate 22, and houses the syringe 16. The syringe 16 and
pressure jacket 34 are constructed such that they collectively withstand
injection pressures created by the injector 10 during an injection
operation. It should be noted that some injectors of the invention may
not include a face plate (e.g., 22) and/or a pressure jacket (e.g., 34).
For instance, an injector equipped with a pressure jacket may not be
desired by some users in low pressure injection applications.

[0035]A cradle 36 is operatively connected to the injector 10. In the
illustrated embodiment, the cradle 36 extends from the front surface 38
of the face plate 22, and supports the syringe 16 and pressure jacket 34.
The cradle 36 may include a mechanism to warm the contents of the syringe
16, thus allowing the contents of a syringe 16 to be maintained at a
particular desired temperature while the syringe 16 is attached to the
injector 10. The syringe 16 is held in proximity with the cradle 36 such
that the medical fluid (e.g., contrast media, saline, etc.) within the
syringe 16 is warmed.

[0036]The syringe 16 includes an exterior cylindrical body 40, which, at
its forward end, is integral with a conical front wall section 42. A neck
44, terminating in discharge tip 46, extends forwardly from and is
integral with the front wall 42. The body 40 of the syringe 16 snugly
interfaces with the interior walls of the pressure jacket 34. This
syringe 16 includes a syringe mating section 48, which may be in the form
of a radially outwardly extending annular flange, and which is positioned
in a plane perpendicular to the axis of, and integral with, the rear end
50 of the cylindrical body 40 of the syringe 16. The syringe mating
section 48 is arranged, when the syringe 16 is located within the
pressure jacket 34, to align with cooperating mating sections located on
the rear end 50 of the pressure jacket 34, and/or to interface with
mating sections 52 located in the face plate 22. In this manner, the
syringe 16 and pressure jacket mating sections or injector mating
sections 52 facilitate the connection of the syringe 16 to the injector
10.

[0037]The neck 44 of the discharge tip 46 contains an orifice 54 in its
remote end, which communicates with an internal syringe cavity 56 formed
within the neck 44, the conical front wall 42, and the body 40 of the
syringe 16. The rear end of the cavity 56 is further defined by a forward
facing conical surface 58 of the syringe plunger 30. The conical surface
58 is preferably of a slope, which substantially conforms to the slope of
the interior of the conical front wall 42. The syringe plunger 30 is
snugly slidable within the body 40 of the syringe 16 such that the cavity
56 is of variable volume.

[0038]Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3E, a syringe 16 in accordance with
principles of the present invention is shown. The body 40 of the syringe
16 has a longitudinal axis 60 and includes a forward end 49 and a
rearward end 50. At least one syringe mating section (a first syringe
mating section 48) is coupled to the body 40. The syringe mating section
48 (and those of other embodiments described herein) "coupled" to the
body 40 may refer to a separate syringe mating section that is physically
attached to the body, such as by bonding, adhesives, or any other
suitable method, or may refer to a syringe mating section that is
integrally formed with the body. The syringe mating section 48 is adapted
to engage an injector 10 and includes a first flange 62 and a second
flange 64, each extending outwardly from the body 40 along a plane
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 60 of the body 40.
In particular, the first flange 62 includes a rearward surface 66 and a
forward surface 68. The rearward surface 66 of the first flange 62 may be
flush or substantially flush with a proximal end 70 of the syringe 16.
The second flange 64 is located distally of the first flange 62 and
includes a rearward surface 72 and a forward surface 74. The rearward
surface 72 of the second flange 64 is spaced from the forward surface 68
of the first flange 62. It should be noted that the first and second
flanges 62, 64 may be positioned at other locations (e.g., remote from
the proximal end) along the body 40 in other embodiments of the syringe
16. Further, each of the first and second flanges 62, 64 has a generally
square or rectangular cross-section in the illustrated embodiment.
However, this is merely illustrative, and flanges having cross-sections
of other shapes may be used.

[0039]The first syringe mating section 48 illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E
exhibits an arcuate length generally equal to approximately one quarter
of the circumference (i.e., about 90°) of the body 40. However,
other embodiments of the syringe mating section 48 may exhibit other
appropriate arcuate lengths that may be greater or less than about
90°.

[0040]As can be seen in FIGS. 3B through 3E, the syringe 16 including the
first syringe mating section 48 can be mounted to injectors of more than
one design. A first injector 76, having a face plate 22 with a first
injector mating section 52, is depicted in FIGS. 3B-3C, and a second
injector 78, having a face plate 22 with a second injector mating section
80, is depicted in FIGS. 3D-3E. The injector mating section 52 of the
first injector 76 (FIG. 3B-3C) is defined by a contour 82 that is
complementary to the first syringe mating section 48. In other words, the
contour 82 of the injector mating section 52 is closely aligned with and
substantially matches a contour 84 defining the first syringe mating
section 48. In particular, the injector mating section 52 has a first
groove 86 and a second groove 88 defined in a surface 38 of the face
plate 22, with a flange 87 located therebetween. When the syringe 16 is
operatively connected to the face plate 22, the first flange 62 is
received within the first groove 86, and the second flange 64 is received
within the second groove 88. And thus, the flange 87 of the injector
mating section 52 is positioned between the first flange 62 and second
flange 64 when the first syringe mating section 48 and the injector
mating section 52 are in an engaged relationship. Again, those skilled in
the art will recognize that cross-sectional shapes of the injector mating
section grooves 86, 88 and flange 87 may be other than the square or
rectangular shapes shown in the illustrated embodiment, and may be
dependent on the shape of the flanges 62, 64 of the syringe mating
section 48.

[0041]The injector mating section 80 of the second injector 78 (FIG.
3D-3E) is defined by a contour 83 that cooperates with the first syringe
mating section 48, but is not completely complementary to the first
syringe mating section 48. In other words, the contour 83 does not
substantially match the contour 84 of the first syringe mating section
48. However, the contour 83 is such that the injector mating section 80
does receive the first and second flanges 62, 64 in such manner that the
first syringe mating section 48 and injector mating section 80 engage to
operatively connect the syringe 16 to the second injector 78. In
particular, the injector mating section 80 includes a single groove 90
having a dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis 60 of the syringe 16
that receives both the first flange 62 and the second flange 64 of the
first syringe mating section 48. While the single groove 90 of the
illustrated embodiment is depicted as having a rectangular cross-section,
those skilled in the art will recognize that a single groove of any
alternate shape may suffice, provided it can receive the syringe mating
section to form a connection between the syringe 16 and second injector
78. Thus, the syringe 16 of FIGS. 3A-3E can be used with different
injectors 76, 78 having different injector mating sections 52, 80.

[0042]Still referring to FIGS. 3A-3E, each of the first and second flanges
62, 64 extends only partially circumferentially around the rearward end
50 of the body 40. This configuration allows the syringe 16 to be loaded
into the face plate 22 of the injector 10. The syringe 16 of the
illustrated embodiment may further include a second syringe mating
section 92 operatively coupled to the body 40 and positioned in an
annular location substantially opposite the first syringe mating section
48. Thus, the first and second syringe mating sections 48, 92 combined,
encompass an arcuate length generally equal to approximately one half of
the circumference (i.e., about 180°) of the body 40 (although it
will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the mating sections
48, 92 may encompass an arcuate length other than about one-half of the
circumference of the body 40, and that there may be more than first and
second mating sections). Like the first syringe mating section 48, the
second mating section 92 includes first and second flanges 94, 96
extending outwardly from the body 40 along a plane substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 60 of the body 40.

[0043]Still referring to FIGS. 3A-3E, to load the syringe 16 into either
the first injector 76 or the second injector 78, the first and second
flanges 62, 64 of the first syringe mating section 48 and the first and
second flanges 94, 96 of the second syringe mating section 92 are aligned
with gaps (not shown) between first and second injector mating sections.
The syringe 16 is then inserted into an opening in the face plate 22
until the first and second syringe mating sections 48, 92 are aligned
with the injector mating sections of the face plate 22. The syringe 16 is
then rotated to position the first and second syringe mating sections 48,
92 within, and in confronting relationship with, the injector mating
sections 52 of the first injector 76 or the injector mating sections 80
of the second injector 78. In this position, the syringe 16 is connected
to the face plate 22.

[0044]As can be seen in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E, each of
the flanges 62, 64, 94, 96 does not exhibit any discontinuity along its
length. However, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that
one or more of the flanges 62, 64, 94, 96 could exhibit at least one
discontinuity along its length. Such a discontinuity could be, for
example, a gap through the flange(s), a notch cut into the flange(s), or
an undulating contour of the flange(s).

[0045]Each of the flanges 62, 64, 94, 96 shown in FIGS. 3A-3E does not
have a cavity defined therein. In other words, as opposed to a
discontinuity, which forms a disruption between the forward and rearward
ends of a particular flange of the syringe mating section, a cavity does
not form any disruption in the forward and rearward ends of a given
flange, but does form a hollowed portion of the flange. It should be
noted that other embodiments may include one or more flanges having at
least one cavity defined therein.

[0046]Still referring to FIGS. 3A-3E, the syringe mating sections 48, 92
are adapted to operatively engage the face plate 22 of the injector 10.
However, those skilled in the art will recognize that engagement with a
face plate is not necessary to the present invention and that the syringe
mating sections 48, 92 may be utilized to operatively engage another
portion an injector (e.g., a housing of an injector).

[0047]With further reference to FIGS. 3A-3E, the syringe mating sections
48, 92 may allow the syringe 16 to withstand greater shear forces than
conventional syringe mating sections. This feature may reduce the failure
rate of such syringes as compared to conventional syringes. As described
above, a drawback of conventional syringes is that many materials that
are used in making prefilled syringes are inadequate to withstand shear
forces generated during injection procedures. Thus, the syringe mating
sections can be sheared from the body of the syringe during an injection,
resulting in the need to replace the syringe and repeat the injection
procedure. Previously, to cope with this problem, the sizes of the
syringe mating sections have been increased in order to increase the area
in shear (i.e., to increase the surface area of contact between the
syringe mating section and the injector mating section in the direction
of the injection forces, e.g., in a direction along the longitudinal axis
of the syringe). However, when forming such syringe mating sections
during injection molding, such larger sections are weakened by the
cooling process as compared to smaller sections. Thus, one aspect of the
present invention results from the recognition that the size of syringe
mating sections 48, 92 can be reduced (thereby improving molding of the
syringe mating section) while increasing the overall area of the syringe
mating sections 48, 92 in shear (thereby reducing the failure rate of
syringes). Thus, the contours 84 of the syringe mating sections 48, 92 of
the syringe 16 of the illustrated embodiment result in the syringe mating
sections 48, 92 having an increased area in shear as compared to the area
of syringe mating sections of conventional syringes. For example,
syringes produced by Medrad, Inc. (of Pittsburgh, Pa.) for the Medrad
Envision and Medrad Vistron injectors have syringe mating sections having
about 0.127 square inch of area for shear resistance. This is due to the
fact that only the distal end of a syringe mating section has a surface
that is in contact with a surface of an injector mating section. However,
the syringe mating section 48 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
3A-3E has two such surfaces (i.e., the forward surface 68 of first flange
62 and the forward surface 74 of second flange 64). Thus, it may have
about 0.246 square inch of area for shear resistance, for example.
Additionally, the syringe mating sections of the conventional syringes
are weaker due to the configuration of the flanges of the syringe mating
section, which include cavities therein. However, the syringe mating
section 48 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E does not include
any such cavities (i.e., are solid first and second flanges 62, 64).
Thus, the embodiment of the syringe mating sections of FIGS. 3A-3E is
easier to mold due to the reduced thickness of each lug, while the shear
resistance is actually increased. It will be recognized by those skilled
in the art that the particular contours of the syringe mating sections
shown in FIGS. 3A-3E are merely exemplary, and that any contour or shape
may be used which increases the overall area in shear.

[0048]The area of a syringe of the invention that is dedicated to shear
resistance may be at least 0.13 square inch in some embodiments, at least
0.14 square inch in some embodiments, at least 0.15 square inch in some
embodiments, at least 0.16 square inch in some embodiments, at least 0.17
square inch in some embodiments, at least 0.18 square inch in some
embodiments, at least 0.19 square inch in some embodiments, at least 0.20
square inch in some embodiments, at least 0.21 square inch in some
embodiments, at least 0.22 square inch in some embodiments, at least 0.23
square inch in some embodiments, at least 0.24 square inch in some
embodiments, and at least 0.25 square inch in some embodiments. Other
embodiments may exhibit yet other appropriate shear resistance areas.

[0049]Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4E, a second embodiment of a syringe 16
having at least one syringe mating section (a first syringe mating
section 48) is shown. This first syringe mating section 48 is adapted to
engage an injector 10, and includes a first flange 62, a second flange
64, and a third flange 100, each extending outwardly from a body 40 of
the syringe 16 along a plane substantially perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis 60 of the body 40. In particular, the first flange 62
includes a rearward surface 66 and a forward surface 68. The rearward
surface 66 of the first flange 62 may be flush or substantially flush
with a proximal end 70 of the syringe 16. The second flange 64 is located
distally of the first flange 62 between the first and third flanges 62,
100 and includes a rearward surface 72 and a forward surface 74, with the
rearward surface 72 being spaced from the forward surface 68 of the first
flange 62. The third flange 100 is located distally of the second flange
64 and includes a rearward surface 102 and a forward surface 104, with
the rearward surface 102 being spaced from the forward surface 74 of the
second flange 64. Other embodiments of the syringe 16 may exhibit other
appropriate positionings of the first, second, and third flanges 62, 64,
100 along the surface of the body 40. Each of the first, second, and
third flanges 62, 64, 100 is shown as having a generally square or
rectangular cross-section in the illustrated embodiment. However, this is
merely illustrative, and flanges having cross-sections of other shapes
may be used.

[0050]The first syringe mating section 48 illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4E
exhibits an arcuate length generally equal to approximately one quarter
of the circumference (i.e., about 90°) of the body 40. However,
other embodiments of the syringe mating section 48 may exhibit other
appropriate arcuate lengths that may be greater or less than about
90°.

[0051]As can be seen in FIGS. 4B through 4E, the syringe 16 including the
first syringe mating section 48 can be mounted to injectors having
different designs. A first injector 76, having a face plate 22 with a
first injector mating section 52, is depicted in FIGS. 4B-4C, and a
second injector 78, having a face plate 22 with a second injector mating
section 80, is depicted in FIGS. 4D-4E. The injector mating section 52 of
the first injector 48 (FIGS. 4B-4C) is defined by a contour 82 that is
complementary to the first syringe mating section 48. In other words, the
contour 82 of the injector mating section 80 is closely aligned with and
substantially matches a contour 84 defining the first syringe mating
section 48. In particular, the injector mating section 52, as
illustrated, includes a first groove 86, a second groove 88, and a third
groove 106 disposed in a surface 38 of the face plate 22. When the
syringe 16 is operatively connected to the face plate 22, the first
flange 62 is received within the first groove 86, the second flange 64 is
received within the second groove 88, and the third flange 100 is
received within the third groove 106. As with the embodiment described
above, those skilled in the art will recognize that cross-sectional
shapes of the injector mating section grooves 86, 88, 106 may be other
than the square or rectangular shapes shown in the illustrated
embodiment, and may be dependent on the shape of the flanges 62, 64, 100
of the syringe mating section 48.

[0052]The injector mating section 80 of the second injector 78 (FIGS.
4D-4E) is defined by a contour 83 that cooperates with the first syringe
mating section 48, but is not completely complementary to the first
syringe mating section 48. In other words, the contour 83 does not
substantially match the contour 84 of the first syringe mating section
48. However, the contour 83 is such that the injector mating section 80
does receive the first, second, and third flanges 62, 64, 100 in such
manner that the first syringe mating section 48 and injector mating
section 80 engage to operatively connect the syringe 16 to the second
injector 78. In particular, the injector mating section 80 includes a
single groove 90 having a dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis 60
of the syringe 16 that receives the first flange 62, the second flange
64, and the third flange 100 of the first syringe mating section 48. Like
that described above in the previous embodiment, while the single groove
90 of the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4C is depicted as having a
rectangular cross-section, those skilled in the art will recognize that a
single groove of any alternate shape may suffice, provided it can receive
the syringe mating section 48 to form a connection between the syringe 16
and second injector 78. Thus, the syringe 16 of the embodiment of FIGS.
4A-4E can be used with different injectors 76, 78 having different
injector mating sections 52, 80, thereby increasing the versatility of
the syringe 16.

[0053]Like the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E above, in the syringe
embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4E, each of the flanges 62, 64, 100 may extend
only partially circumferentially around the body 40 of the syringe 16.
The syringe 16 of FIGS. 4A-4E includes a second syringe mating section 92
operatively coupled to the body 40 and positioned substantially opposite
the first syringe mating section 48. Thus, as illustrated, the first and
second syringe mating sections 48, 92 combined, encompass an arcuate
length generally equal to approximately one half of the circumference
(i.e., about 180°) of the body 40 (although it will be recognized
by those skilled in the art that the mating sections 48, 92 may encompass
an arcuate length other than about one-half of the circumference of the
body 40, and that there may be more than first and second mating
sections). And while the illustrated embodiment does not depict a
discontinuity or cavity in the syringe mating sections 48, 92, those
skilled in the art will recognize that the syringe mating sections 48, 92
may exhibit such a discontinuity and/or cavity. Further, while the
syringe mating section 48 is shown as engaging a face plate 22, it may be
adapted to engage other portions of an injector, such as a housing of an
injector.

[0054]The syringe mating sections 48, 92 of the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4E
may allow the syringe 16 to withstand greater shear forces than
conventional syringe mating sections. This may reduce the failure rate of
the syringe 16 as compared to conventional syringes. For example, a
syringe mating section 48 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4E
may have about 0.205 square inch of area for shear resistance.

[0055]Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5E, a third embodiment of a syringe 16 is
shown having at least one syringe mating section (a first syringe mating
section 48) coupled to a body 40 of the syringe 16. This first syringe
mating section 48 is adapted to engage an injector 10 and includes a
first flange 62 and a second flange 64, each extending outwardly from the
body 40 along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis 60 of the body 40. In particular, the first flange 62 includes a
rearward surface 66 and a forward surface 68. The rearward surface 66 of
the first flange 62 may be flush or substantially flush with a proximal
end 70 of the syringe 16. The second flange 64 is located distally of the
first flange 62 and includes a rearward surface 72 and a forward surface
74, with the rearward surface 72 being spaced from the forward surface 68
of the first flange 62. Other embodiments of the syringe 16 may exhibit
other appropriate positionings of the first and second flanges 62, 64
along the surface of the body 40. The first flange 62 has a cross-section
in the form of a parallelogram, and the second flange 64 includes a
tapered surface 108 disposed at a non-perpendicular and non-parallel
angle relative to the longitudinal axis 60 of the syringe 16. Although
the first flange 62 is shown as having a parallelogram cross-section and
the second flange 64 is shown as including the tapered surface 108, it
will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the first flange 62
may include a tapered surface 108, and the second flange 64 may have a
cross-section of a parallelogram.

[0056]Like the embodiments described above, the syringe mating section 48,
as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E, encompasses an arcuate length generally
equal to approximately one quarter of the circumference (that is, about
90°) of the body 40. However, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that the syringe mating section 48 could encompass an
arcuate length of greater or lesser than about 90°.

[0057]As can be seen in FIGS. 5B through 5E, the syringe 16 including the
first syringe mating section 48 can be mounted to injectors of more than
one design. A first injector 76, having a face plate 22 with a first
injector mating section 52, is depicted in FIGS. 5B-5C, and a second
injector 78, having a face plate 22 with a second injector mating section
80, is depicted in FIGS. 5D-5E. The injector mating section 52 of the
first injector 76 (FIGS. 5B-5C) is defined by a contour 82 that is
complementary to the first syringe mating section 48. In other words, the
contour 82 of the injector mating section 52 is closely aligned with and
substantially matches a contour 84 defining the first syringe mating
section 48. In particular, the injector mating section 52 includes a
first groove 86 and a second groove 88 disposed in a surface 38 of the
face plate 22. Thus, the first groove 86 has a cross-section in the shape
of a parallelogram, and the second groove 88 has a tapered surface to
complementarily match that of the second flange 64. When the syringe 16
is operatively connected to the face plate 22, the first flange 62 is
received within the first groove 86 and the second flange 64 is received
within the second groove 88. Again, those skilled in the art will
recognize that cross-sectional shapes of the injector mating section
grooves 86, 88 may be other than the shapes shown in the illustrated
embodiment and may be dependent on the shape of the flanges 62, 64 of the
syringe mating section 48.

[0058]The injector mating section 80 of the second injector 78 (FIGS.
5D-5E) is defined by a contour 83 that cooperates with the first syringe
mating section 48, but is not completely complementary to the first
syringe mating section 48. In other words, the contour 83 does not
substantially match the contour 84 of the first syringe mating section
48. However, the contour 83 is such that the injector mating section 80
does receive a first and second flanges 62, 64, in such manner that the
first syringe mating section 48 and injector mating section 80 engage to
operatively connect the syringe 16 to the second injector 78. In
particular, the injector mating section 80 includes a single groove 90
having a dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis 60 of the syringe 16
that receives both the first flange 62 and the second flange 64 of the
first syringe mating section 48. Further, while the single groove 90 of
the illustrated embodiment is depicted as having a rectangular
cross-section, those skilled in the art will recognize that a single
groove of any alternate shape may suffice, provided it can receive the
syringe mating section 48 to form a connection between the syringe 16 and
second injector 78. Thus, like the embodiments described above, the
syringe 16 of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5E can be used with different
injectors 76, 78 having different injector mating sections 52, 80,
thereby increasing the versatility of the syringe 16.

[0059]Like the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E above, in the
embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5E, each of the first and second flanges 62, 64
may extend only partially circumferentially around the rearward end 50 of
body 40. Further, the syringe 16 of the illustrated embodiment includes a
second syringe mating section 92 operatively coupled to the body 40, and
positioned substantially opposite the first syringe mating section 48.
Thus, as illustrated, the first and second syringe mating sections 48, 92
combined encompass an arcuate length generally equal to at least
approximately one half of the circumference (i.e., about 180°) of
the body 40 (although it will be recognized by those skilled in the art
that the mating sections 48, 92 may encompass an arcuate length other
than about one-half of the circumference of the body 40, and that there
may be more than first and second mating sections). And while the
illustrated embodiment does not depict any discontinuity or cavity in the
syringe mating sections 48, 92, those skilled in the art will recognize
that the syringe mating section s 48, 92 may exhibit such a discontinuity
and/or cavity. And while the syringe mating section s 48, 92 are shown as
engaging a face plate 22, it may be adapted to engage other portions of
the injector 10, such as the housing 18 of the injector 10.

[0060]The syringe mating sections 48, 92 of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5E
may allow the syringe 16 to withstand greater shear forces than
conventional syringe mating sections. This may reduce the failure rate of
the syringes 16 as compared to conventional syringes. For example, a
syringe mating section 48 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E
may have about 0.310 square inch of area for shear resistance.

[0061]Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6E, a fourth embodiment of a syringe 16 is
shown having at least one syringe mating section (a first syringe mating
section 48) coupled to the body 40 of the syringe 16. The first syringe
mating section 48 is adapted to operatively engage an injector 10 and
includes at least one flange 62 extending outwardly from the body 40
along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 60 of
the body 40. Further, this flange 62 exhibits an L-shaped cross-section
and is positioned toward the proximal end 70 of the body 40 of the
syringe 16. Other embodiments of the syringe 16 may exhibit other
appropriate positionings of the flange 62 along the surface of the body
40.

[0062]The first syringe mating section 48 shown in FIGS. 6A-6E encompasses
an arcuate length generally equal to approximately one quarter of the
circumference (that is, about 90°) of the body 40. However, as
above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the syringe
mating section 48 could encompass an arcuate length of greater or lesser
than about 90°.

[0063]As can be seen in FIGS. 6B through 6E, the syringe 16 including the
first syringe mating section 48 can be mounted to injectors exhibiting
different designs. A first injector 76, having a face plate 22 with a
first injector mating section 52, is depicted in FIGS. 6B-6C, and a
second injector 78, having a face plate 22 with a second injector mating
section 80, is depicted in FIGS. 6D-6E. The injector mating section 52 of
the first injector 76 (FIGS. 6B-6C) is defined by a contour 82 that is
complementary to the first syringe mating section 48. In other words, the
contour 82 of the injector mating section 52 is closely aligned with and
substantially matches a contour 84 defining the first syringe mating
section 48. In particular, the injector mating section 52 includes a
first groove 86 disposed in a surface 38 of the face plate 22. This
groove 86 includes an L-shaped contour 82 that complimentarily cooperates
with the L-shaped flange 62. When the syringe 16 is operatively connected
to the face plate 22, the flange 62 having an L-shaped cross-section is
received within the first groove 86 such that the syringe 16 is
operatively connected to the injector 10.

[0064]The injector mating section 80 of the second injector 78 (FIGS.
6D-6E) is defined by a contour 83 that cooperates with the first syringe
mating section 48, but is not completely complementary to the first
syringe mating section 48. In other words, the contour 83 does not
substantially match the contour 84 of the first syringe mating section
48. However, the contour 83 is such that the injector mating section 80
does receive an L-shaped flange 62 in such manner that the first syringe
mating section 48 and injector mating section 80 engage to operatively
connect the syringe 16 to the second injector 78. In particular, the
injector mating section 80 includes a single groove 90 having a dimension
parallel to the longitudinal axis 60 of the syringe 16 that receives the
flange 62 of the first syringe mating section 48. Further, while the
single groove 90 of the illustrated embodiment is depicted as having a
rectangular cross-section, those skilled in the art will recognize that a
single groove of any alternate shape may suffice, provided it can receive
the syringe mating section 48 to form a connection between the syringe 16
and second injector 78. Thus, the syringe 16 of the embodiment of FIGS.
6A-6E can be used with different injectors 76, 78 having different
injector mating sections 52, 80, thereby increasing the versatility of
the syringe 16.

[0065]In the syringe embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6E, the flange 62 may extend
only partially circumferentially around the body 40. The syringe 16 of
the illustrated embodiment further includes a second syringe mating
section 92 operatively coupled to the body 40 and positioned
substantially opposite the first syringe mating section 48. Thus, the
first and second syringe mating sections 48, 92 combined encompass an
arcuate length generally equal to approximately one half of the
circumference (i.e., about 180°) of the body 40 (although it will
be recognized by those skilled in the art that the mating sections 48, 92
may encompass an arcuate length other than about one-half of the
circumference of the body 40, and that there may be more than first and
second mating sections). And while the syringe mating section 92 is shown
as engaging a face plate 22, it may be adapted to engage other portions
of an injector, such as a housing of an injector.

[0066]The syringe mating sections 48, 92 of the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6E
may allow the syringe 16 to withstand greater shear forces than
conventional syringe mating sections. This may reduce the failure rate of
the syringes 16 of the present invention as compared to conventional
syringes. For example, a syringe mating section 48 of the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6E may have about 0.554 square inch of area for
shear resistance.

[0067]Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7E, a fifth embodiment of a syringe 16 is
shown having at least one syringe mating section (a first syringe mating
section 48) coupled to a body 40 of the syringe 16. This first syringe
mating section 48 is adapted to operatively engage an injector 10 and
includes at least one flange 62 extending outwardly from the body 40
along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 60 of
the body 40. The flange 62 exhibits an L-shaped cross-section and is
located toward the rearward end of the body 40. Other embodiments may
exhibit other appropriate positionings of the L-shaped flange along the
surface of the body 40. The flange 62 includes a discontinuity 110 along
its length. In particular, the flange 62 includes a plurality of
discontinuities 110 along its length. The discontinuities 110 are shown
as notches in the flange 62. However, those skilled in the art will
recognize that a discontinuity can refer to features other than a notch
(e.g., a gap or an undulating contour). The discontinuities 110 of the
illustrated embodiment are shown as extending from a forward surface 68
toward a rearward surface 66 of the flange 62. Those skilled in the art
will recognize that this is not crucial to the invention, and that the
discontinuities may extend from the rearward surface 66 toward the
forward surface 68.

[0068]The syringe mating section 48 of FIGS. 7A-7E encompasses an arcuate
length generally equal to approximately one quarter of the circumference
(that is, approximately 90°) of the body 40. However, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that the syringe mating section 48
could encompass an arcuate length of greater or less than about
90°.

[0069]As can be seen in FIGS. 7B through 7E, the syringe 16 including the
first syringe mating section 48 can be mounted to injectors of more than
one design. A first injector 76, having a face plate 22 with a first
injector mating section 52, is depicted in FIGS. 7B-7C, and a second
injector 78, having a face plate 22 with a second injector mating section
80, is depicted in FIGS. 7D-7E. The injector mating section 52 of the
first injector 76 (FIGS. 7B-7C) is defined by a contour 82 that is
substantially complementary to the first syringe mating section 48. As
above, the contour 82 of the injector mating section 52 is closely
aligned with and substantially matches a contour 84 defining the first
syringe mating section 48. In particular, the injector mating section 52,
as illustrated, includes a first groove 86 disposed in a surface 38 of
the face plate 22. This groove 86, as illustrated, includes an L-shaped
contour 82 that cooperates with the L-shaped flange 62. When the syringe
16 is operatively connected to the face plate 22, the flange 62 having an
L-shaped cross-section is received within the first groove 86.

[0070]The injector mating section 80 of the second injector 78 (FIGS.
7D-7E) is defined by a contour 83 that cooperates with the first syringe
mating section 48, but is not completely complementary to the first
syringe mating section 48. In other words, the contour 83 does not
substantially match the contour 84 of the first syringe mating section
48. However, the contour 83 is such that the injector mating section 80
does receive an L-shaped flange 62 in such manner that the first syringe
mating section 48 and injector mating section 80 engage to operatively
connect the syringe 16 to the second injector 78. In particular, the
injector mating section 80 includes a single groove 90 having a dimension
parallel to the longitudinal axis 60 of the syringe 16 that receives the
flange 62 of the first syringe mating section 48. Further, while the
single groove 90 of the illustrated embodiment is depicted as having a
rectangular cross-section, those skilled in the art will recognize that a
single groove of any alternate shape may suffice, provided it can receive
the syringe mating section to form a connection between the syringe 16
and second injector 78. Thus, the syringe 16 of the embodiment of FIGS.
7A-7E can be used with different injectors 76, 78 having different
injector mating sections 52, 80, thereby increasing the versatility of
the syringe 16.

[0071]Further, like the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E above, in
the syringe embodiment of FIGS. 7A-7E, the flange 62 may extend only
partially circumferentially around the rearward end 50 of body 40.
Further, the syringe 16 of the illustrated embodiment further includes a
second syringe mating section 92 operatively coupled to the body 40, and
positioned substantially opposite the first syringe mating section 48.
Thus, as illustrated, the first and second syringe mating sections 48, 92
combined encompass an arcuate length generally equal to at least
approximately one half of the circumference (i.e., about 180°) of
the body 40 (although it will be recognized by those skilled in the art
that the mating sections 48, 92 may encompass an arcuate length other
than about one-half of the circumference of the body 40, and that there
may be more than first and second mating sections). And while the syringe
mating section 92 is shown as engaging a face plate 22, it may be adapted
to engage other portions of the injector 10, such as the housing 18 of
the injector 10.

[0072]Further, the syringe mating sections 48, 92 of the embodiment of
FIGS. 7A-7E allows the syringe 16 to withstand greater shear forces than
previous syringe mating sections. This reduces the failure rate of the
syringes 16 of the present invention as compared to previous syringes.
For example, the syringe mating section 48 of the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 7A-7E may have about 0.291 square inch of area for shear
resistance, for example.

[0073]Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those
skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not
limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods,
and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures
may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit
of Applicants general inventive concept.